The Assassination of Jesse James: Pitt at His Peak

WARNER Bros. Pictures brings together the talented ensemble of Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam Shepard, Mary-Louise Parker and Sam Rockwell in the acclaimed thriller “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.”
Written and directed by Andrew Dominik, “Assassination” has been hailed by U.S. critics as one of the best films of 2007 and has already won three awards – Best Actor for Brad Pitt in the recent Venice Film Festival, and Best Supporting Actor for Casey Affleck in the National Board of Review and San Francisco Film Critics Circle yearly citations. Affleck is also nominated in the Golden Globes and the upcoming Screen Actors Guild Awards.
There have been countless books written and tales told about America’s most famous outlaw Jesse James (Pitt) —all of them colorful and fascinating, all focused on his larger-than-life public persona and daring exploits, and most of them bearing only incidental reference to the truth.
To those he robbed and terrorized, and to the families of those he admittedly killed, he may have been just a criminal, but in the sensational newspaper articles and dime novels chronicling the James Gang throughout the 1870s, Jesse was the object of awe and admiration. He was a Robin Hood, they suggested, targeting railroad owners and banks that exploited poor farmers. Most importantly, to an increasingly buttoned-down and citified population leading ordinary lives, he was the last frontiersman—a symbol of freedom and the American spirit, a charismatic rebel who flouted the law and lived by his own rules…by all accounts, a legend.
Foremost among his admirers was Robert Ford (Affleck), an idealistic and ambitious young man who had devoted his life to the hope of one day riding alongside his idol. He could never have imagined that history would ultimately mark him as the “the dirty little coward” who shot Jesse in the back.
But who was Jesse James, really—behind the folklore and the selling of newspapers? And who was Robert Ford, just nineteen and a member of Jesse’s inner circle, who was able to bring down such a formidable figure when lawmen across ten states had tried and failed? How did they come to be friends and what happened between them in the days and hours leading up to the gunshot that would end one man’s life and become the definition and sum total of another’s? No one will ever know the whole truth.
“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” delves into the private lives of America ’s most notorious outlaw and his unlikely assassin to offer a new perspective on a legend and address the question of what really may have transpired in the months before that infamous shooting.
The year is 1881 and Jesse is 34 years old. As he plans his next great robbery, he continues to wage war on his enemies who are trying to collect the reward money and the glory riding on his capture. But the greatest threat to his life could come from those he would trust the most. – Warner Bros. Pictures

James Marsden Cyke-d for 27 DRESSES

BEST known for his Cyclops role in ‘X-Men’ movies, James Marsden stars anew as Kevin, an ambitious reporter in the upcoming romantic comedy ’27 Dresses’ opposite Katherine Heigl.

In ’27 Dresses,’ Jane has always been good at taking care of others, but not so much in looking after herself. Her entire life has been about making people happy – and she has a closet full of 27 bridesmaid dresses to prove it. One memorable evening, Jane manages to shuttle between wedding receptions in Manhattan and Brooklyn, a feat witnessed by Kevin (James Marsden), a newspaper reporter who realizes that a story about this wedding junkie is his ticket off the newspaper’s bridal beat. Jane finds Kevin’s cynicism counter to everything she holds dear – namely weddings, and the two lock horns.

Director Fletcher cast Marsden after working with him in “Hairspray,” on which Fletcher was an associate choreographer and second unit director, and Marsden played the Baltimore television-dance-show host Corny Collins. She notes the volatile Jane-Kevin relationship is a classic “rom-com” situation of opposites repelling then attracting one another. “You can understand why Jane resists Kevin,” says Fletcher. “He’s sarcastic and cranky, and he nags and constantly bugs her. His protection is his wit and sarcasm, but he’s charming, charismatic and funny.”

Adds scriptwriter McKenna: “There is, however, a trait both characters share, for Jane and Kevin are observers – he by profession – and in their own ways both have chosen to sit on the sidelines.”

Marsden, was eager to tackle a romantic leading man part. “I usually play the guy who gets the short end of the stick in, so it is nice when I read ‘27 Dresses’ and realized, ‘They're considering me for the guy who may actually get the girl!’”

Recently seen in the box-office hit ‘Enchanted,’ Marsden’s diverse film credits include Cyclops in the “X-Men” trilogy, “Superman Returns,” the Nick Cassavetes romantic drama “The Notebook,” and “The Alibi.” Additional film credits include “Disturbing Behavior,” “10th and Wolf,” “24th Day,” “Sugar and Spice” and “Interstate 60.” His notable television roles include Glen Floy on the final season of the Emmy winning, David E. Kelley series “Ally McBeal.”

“27 Dresses” opens January 30 from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Russell and Denzel, Side by Side

Academy Award-winners Denzel Washington (for Glory and Training Day) and Russell Crowe (for Gladiator) first acted opposite each other a dozen years ago in Virtuosity a sci-fi crime thriller set in virtual reality. In that picture, Denzel played a police lieutenant out to catch Russell's character, a sadistic serial killer.

Now, the two have swapped sides of the law for American Gangster, with Crowe as the cop, and Washington as the crook. The film is based on the real life exploits of Frank Lucas, a Harlem heroin kingpin, and Richie Roberts, the cop who brought him to justice, as originally chronicled in a New York Magazine article by Mark Jacobson entitled "The Return of Superfly."

You both have come a long way since you first worked together.

Russell Crowe : [Sarcastically] Virtuosity, yes, a wonderful movie. That was just a momentary lapse, wasn't it? We were both young then, young and innocent. [Laughs]

Denzel Washington : Not after that movie. We were old and tired. [Laughs]

Can you talk a little about the theme of good versus evil as seen in the confrontation between your characters in American Gangster?

Denzel Washington : [Laughs] Who was the good guy and who was the evil guy? A chord runs parallel in both. Jump in there, Russell. [Chuckles]

Russell Crowe : That's the delicate balance. I think that's one of the fascinating things about the two characters, and about the story itself is that none of that's clear. There's not a clear, singular morality. When you get the opportunity to play that sort of character, which is nothing more than reality and humanity as it exists, it's just a bit of fun. Richie's an honest guy, but as his wife says in court, "You're only honest in one area. You're trying to buy yourself favors for all the other [expletive] that you do." I think that just was an honest appraisal of who he was as a man at that time. But it also leaks into that area of discussing why people go bad in the first place or what the process of Frank Lucas was to become a drug dealer. If Frank Lucas had been befriended by somebody else, and educated in a different area, you might have a situation where there's universities named after him now. He's a very smart guy, and he used the things he learned to the best of his ability to change his life and the life of his family at that time. But it just happened to be that Bumpy Johnson was his teacher. So, he did his course work on the street and earned his Ph.D. in criminality under Bumpy Johnson.

Denzel Washington : He was a man without a formal education, a man who at the age of six witnessed his cousin get murdered by sociopaths in uniforms. That shaped his life. From a very young age, he began to steal. He was on the wrong side of the tracks, but he was a brilliant student, and he became a master at the business that he was in. It's a dirty business and he's definitely a criminal who was responsible for the deaths of many people. I don't just want to say he was a product of his environment, but as Russell said, had he gotten a formal education and had different influences, I think he still would have been a leader, but he'd have gone in a different direction.

Why do you think there's outrage over rappers making gangsta videos but not over actors making gangsta movies which glorify the same lifestyle?

Denzel Washington : There's a difference. This is one movie, not the only movie. In 2005, I did Julius Caesar. Not knocking rappers, but I can do both. So, whenever any rapper's ready to do Shakespeare, I'll be there.

Russell Crowe : Wait, I think that what the question's trying to get at is actually something pretty cool. He's saying that when a guy sings a song about his life as a gangster on a record, people get down on him. But you and me, we make a movie about us in that same world, and we get praised for it from a creative point of view.

Denzel Washington: Yeah, well some rappers who have made gangster albums have gotten praised for it, too. Some real good ones. America's Most Wanted is still one of my favorite albums.

Russell Crowe : Is it the criminality that people are getting upset with now about the music, where you're literally singing the praises of gun worship, as opposed to a movie that plays out in front of you and a story that's being told showing something that actually happened?

Denzel Washington : And that these are the consequences.

Russell Crowe : There's definitely a difference there.

Where does American Gangster fit in the pantheon of New York City mob sagas such as Naked City, The Godfather and Goodfellas?

Denzel Washington : Well, I can say, for one, that among the movies you mentioned, there's no black people in any of them. So, the situation may basically be the same, but this is a Harlem story. I guess it is to a degree a genre. There are certain things that are similar about those kinds of films, but this one in particular deals with a guy from uptown.

Given all the accolades you've already received, what inspires you to continue making movies?

Denzel Washinton : Professionally, now, I've sort of segued, and I'm starting to head in another direction. I'm getting behind the camera. I've directed [The Great Debaters] for the second time now, and I'm sure that's my new career. What we do is making a living. It's not my life. My children and my family, that's life. That's the miracle of life. I get up every morning, God willing, for that.

Russell Crowe : I've always found it to be a privilege to make movies. It's a really expensive, creative medium. And people allow me to do it, and there are things that I can do as an actor that I couldn't do in any other walk of life. And I've got a strange personality, but fortunately, film requires strange people. So, I've got a nice comfy home and this is what I do, and I'm really happy with that. When I know I'm getting up to work with Ridley [director Ridley Scott], I know all the time and effort that he would have put into whatever we're about to shoot that day. To me, it's all just a great privilege, and every day I look around and thank the Lord that it's still going on.

Denzel Washington : Me, too.

AMERICAN GANGSTER is released by United International Pictures and distributed through Solar Entertainment Corp. Showing very soon!

“BOND 22” STARTS PRODUCTION AT PINEWOOD STUDIOS, LONDON

Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions Ltd, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios announced the start of principal photography on the eagerly anticipated 22nd James Bond adventure. Daniel Craig reprises his role as 007 in the film which is directed by Marc Forster and follows the success of “Casino Royale,” the latest and highest grossing film in the series.

Starring alongside Craig is an impressive international cast led by the critically acclaimed French actor Mathieu Amalric (Steven Spielberg’s “ Munich ”) as the sinister villain, and the Ukranian actress Olga Kurylenko (“Hitman”) who plays 007's leading lady.

Returning to “Bond 22” (working title) from “Casino Royale” are Judi Dench in her role as M, Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter and Giancarlo Giannini as Mathis. Newcomer to the Bond franchise, Gemma Arterton, will play the role of MI6 Agent Fields.

Commenting on the announcement, Wilson and Broccoli said "We are fortunate to continue in the Bond tradition of attracting the finest international actors for our starring roles. Mathieu in the role of Dominic Greene, a leading member of the villainous organization introduced in `Casino Royale,’ will be a powerful counterpart to Daniel's portrayal of Bond. Olga Kurylenko will play the dangerously alluring Camille, who challenges Bond and helps him come to terms with the emotional consequences of Vesper's betrayal."

MGM and Sony Pictures will share distribution rights worldwide with Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Releasing International distributing the film to theaters worldwide on November 7th, 2008 (the film opens in the Philippines two days earlier, Nov. 5^th.)

Marc Forster directs the screenplay by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Paul Haggis. The unit includes Production Designer Dennis Gassner, Director of Photography Roberto Schaefer, Editors Matt Chesse and Rick Pearson, and 2nd Unit Director Dan Bradley.

THE VOICE BEHIND THE SINGING CHIPMUNK

“Alvin and the Chipmunks,” a global phenomenon to generations of fans becomes a live action/CGI motion picture event with a contemporary comic sensibility. Songwriter Dave Seville (Jason Lee) transforms singing chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore into pop sensations -- while the out-of-control trio lays waste to Dave's home, wreaks havoc on his career, and turns Dave's once-orderly life upside-down.

Alvin and the Chipmunks have been wreaking havoc for Dave Seville - and delighting audiences around the world - for nearly 50 years, in various incarnations. From the moment they sprung into being, the creative brainchild of singer/songwriter Ross Bagdasarian, Sr., the 'Munks' catchy sound has been a pop culture mainstay, for both young and old.

Three of today's hottest young actors - "Dodgeball's" Justin Long (in photo), "Criminal Minds'" Matthew Gray Gubler, and pop sensation/actor Jesse McCartney - joined the project in post-production to voice, respectively, Alvin, Simon and Theodore. Producers Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. and Janice Karman were delighted with the work of all three performers - no small thing given that Bagdasarian's father, Ross, Sr., voiced all three roles before his untimely passing, with Bagdasarian and Karman performing the voices the past thirty years. "Justin, Matthew and Jesse were all funny and smart, while conveying the critical heart of the characters," says an appreciative Bagdasarian.

The band frontman, Alvin is being voiced by Justin Long who recently starred Bruce Willis opposite the hit action movie ‘Die Hard 4.0.’ Alvin is personified as impulsive, charming, musical and full of animal magnetism. What others might characterize as half-baked schemes, Alvin prefers to see as “challenging the ordinary.” What sets Alvin apart from the other two chipmunks is his red sweater emblazoned with the letter "A" made by Dave from a sock.

Matthew Gray Gubbler whose popular film credits include “Criminal Minds” and “R.V.” voices the brainy Theodore. Simon’s signature look is his pair of spectacles borrowed from a wind-up toy that gives him the genuine “specs appeal,” which has inspired far-sighted fans around the globe to proudly sport their specs. His dry sense of humor added to his musical talents, never fails to delight the band’s legions of fans.

Behind Theodore’s voice is actor-pop sensation Jesse McCartney. Theodore is known to his fans as “The Sweet One,” who is also helpful, lovable, sensitive, gullible, trusting and naïve. He has a big heart and even larger appetite, and has been known to stuff an entire box of candy into his adorably puffy cheeks. Theodore is also the youngest of the Chipminks and often intercedes when Simon and Alvin disagree.

Fun for the old and young when “Alvin and the Chipmunks” opens on January 16 in local theaters (Metro Manila, Pampanga and Davao) from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. – Mae Romero Vecina

“NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS” TOPS U.S. TILLS IN 1st WEEK OF NEW YEAR

Nicolas Cage may be running out of storage room for his loot.
Walt Disney Pictures' "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," with Cage as a history buff on the trail of a lost city of gold, was the No. 1 box office draw for the third straight weekend with $20.2 million, according to studio estimates Sunday (Jan. 6).
"Book of Secrets" raised its domestic total to $171 million in three weeks, putting it just $2 million shy of the total that 2004's "National Treasure" rang up during its entire run.
The first weekend of 2008 was promising for Hollywood , continuing a holiday box office surge that followed a weak fall season. The top 12 movies took in $123.9 million, up 18.5 percent from the first weekend of 2007.
In “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” Ben Gates (Cage) once again sets out on an exhilarating, action-packed new global quest to unearth hidden history and treasures. When a missing page from the diary of John Wilkes Booth surfaces, Ben’s great-great grandfather is suddenly implicated as a key conspirator in Abraham Lincoln’s death. Determined to prove his ancestor’s innocence, Ben follows an international chain of clues that takes him on a chase from Paris to London and ultimately back to America . This journey leads Ben and his crew not only to surprising revelations – but to the trail of the world’s most treasured secrets.
Opening across the Philippines on Jan. 8, “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures. – Jay Gonzales

WILL SMITH IS THE LAST MAN ON EARTH IN “I AM LEGEND”

Global superstar Will Smith is Robert Neville, the only survivor of a devastating, manmade plague that has decimated the world’s population, in Warner Bros.’ new sci-fi thriller “I Am Legend.” But the last man on Earth is not alone…the plague had an adverse side effect that transformed its victims into inhuman creatures – carnivorous dark seekers called the Infected that roam the streets at night with an unquenchable hunger.

Smith was drawn to the story’s interior drama unfolding beneath the broad-scale sci-fi adventure. “It’s a huge summer blockbuster character drama,” he describes. “And yet there are science fiction elements. There are creatures in this movie. We wanted to make something new. We have action sequences, but we’re concentrating aggressively on not having action sequences for the sake of action sequences. It’s got to be driven by character, and you connect with them emotionally. That’s our hope.”

Neville, a military virologist based in Manhattan , spearheaded the government’s attempt to find a vaccine to combat the pandemic. But in spite of their efforts, the virus went airborne and the city was subsequently locked down with only the uninfected allowed to evacuate. Those of the Infected who didn’t succumb to the virus were perhaps dealt a worse fate: their ravaged metabolism transforming them into creatures who dwell in the darkness of the city’s vast underground, emerging from the shadows, driven by a singular, primal hunger.

In the aftermath of the catastrophe, Neville is also driven, but his need is to find a cure for the cataclysmic affliction. Somehow immune to the virus, he knows he has two weapons at his disposal—his scientific training and his own blood. “Neville knows these beings are infected with a virus that is a mutation of what was created in a lab,” Smith relates. “Now he has been put in this position of being a lone survivor after being the one who, in his mind, couldn’t save mankind.”

With only the companionship of his dog, Sam, Neville struggles to keep himself one step ahead of the Infected. By day, he and Sam subsist by scavenging for supplies, working in the lab and broadcasting daily radio messages in hopes of finding other survivors. By night, they barricade themselves in a reinforced brownstone monitoring the Infected as they hunt and forage through the city streets, sniffing out any hint of prey.

The dualistic nature of the film as both an epic science fiction thriller and the emotional journey of a human being is not lost on Smith. “It’s layered, and you just continue to peel each layer,” he says. “And it’s interesting when you start to get down to the fourth and fifth layers where it’s a little more oblique and people can draw their own conclusions. This film is an experience, and hopefully it will be a cathartic one for the audience. Of course, we want it to be exciting, but it also brings up thoughts and questions. That’s the line we wanted to walk with this movie.”

Opening across the Philippines on Jan. 8, “I Am Legend” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.